Screamboat Reimagines Steamboat Willie as a Bloodthirsty Mouse Terrorizing Party Princesses

The original Mickey Mouse, known from the 1928 short Steamboat Willie, is undergoing a chilling transformation in a new horror-comedy titled Screamboat. No longer the cheerful figure, Steamboat Willie is now depicted as a murderous character targeting a group of princesses during a birthday celebration on a steamboat. This reimagining is made possible by the character’s entry into the public domain, giving filmmakers creative freedom to reshape Mickey’s image in darker narratives.

Party Princesses Inspired by Disney Face Bloody Rampage in Dark Steamboat Horror Film

Sources close to the production revealed that the victims in Screamboat are five “Party Princesses”—Cindi, Jazzy, Bella, Arianna, and Rory. These characters are clear knockoffs of Disney’s beloved princesses, Cinderella, Jasmine, Belle, Ariel, and Aurora. During what is supposed to be a festive birthday party, the celebration takes a bloody turn when Steamboat Willie begins his violent rampage. Notably, imagery from the film shows a version of the “Little Mermaid” princess tied up and bloodied, hinting at the film’s intense horror elements.

While Steamboat Willie is free to use under public domain law, Disney’s princesses remain protected by copyright. To navigate this, the filmmakers created princess characters that are similar but distinct enough to avoid legal troubles. This clever workaround allows them to play with familiar archetypes while steering clear of infringement issues. It remains unclear whether all the princess characters will meet grisly ends, but the setup promises a suspenseful and brutal storyline.

Decommissioned Ferry Becomes Blood-Soaked Horror Set for Dark Steamboat Willie Reimagining

The movie was filmed aboard a decommissioned Staten Island Ferry owned by Saturday Night Live stars Pete Davidson and Colin Jost. Reports say that the filming involved so much fake blood that a special cleaning crew had to be hired afterward to restore the ferry. This setting adds a gritty, urban atmosphere to the horror, contrasting sharply with the fairy tale elements embodied by the princess characters.

According to the film’s official description, Screamboat follows a group of New Yorkers on a late-night ferry ride that spirals into chaos when a mischievous, bloodthirsty mouse attacks the passengers. The survivors must unite to defeat the deadly intruder before their commute turns into a nightmare. The indie horror-comedy is set for a nationwide theatrical release on April 2, promising audiences a macabre and thrilling twist on a classic piece of animation history.